Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

07-December-2012 18:31 IST

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has informed that it has carried out a detailed review of the existing Investment Regulation including the requirement to facilitate a higher flow of insurance funds to infrastructure sector.

In existing Regulation also exposure of any insurer to an infrastructure company has been increased to 20% as against the present ceiling of 10% as referred in Reg. 5 of the IRDA (Investment) Regulations, 2000. The limit can further be increased by another 5% in case of Debt with the prior approval of the Board. IRDA has further informed that both equity and debt instruments are considered for classification under Infrastructure for mandatory minimum obligation of 15% as against only debt instruments earlier. Mortgaged Based Securities (MBS) with ‘AAA’ rating will qualify as ‘Approved Investments’ and would qualify for infrastructure investments. Investments in infrastructure are excluded from the applicability of industry sector exposure norms.

IRDA has informed that it has a policy of consultation with all the stakeholders including the Chiefs of Public Sector Insurance Companies, on amending all regulations including the Investment Regulations. The proposed amendments are placed on the IRDA website inviting public comments. The views of Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC), Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council are also sought on the proposed amendments to the Regulations.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narian Meena in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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DSM/RS/ka

Higher insurer exposure to infrastructure enabled, broadening eligible instruments and requiring board approval for incremental debt. Regulatory amendments expand insurer capacity to fund infrastructure by raising exposure ceilings to infrastructure companies with an additional incremental allowance for debt subject to prior Board approval; broaden the mandatory infrastructure classification to include both equity and debt; recognise certain high quality mortgage backed securities as Approved Investments qualifying as infrastructure; and exclude infrastructure investments from industry sector exposure limits, while the regulator advances these changes through public consultation with stakeholder bodies.